Future leaders rise to the challenge
Schools
Bright sparks and leaders of the future gathered in Adelaide during March for the first in a year of student leadership sessions.
The program run by Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) invited Catholic school students in senior leadership positions to take part.
The Student Leadership Program provides a sense of community and connection between schools and provides an opportunity for meaningful faith formation and development of leadership knowledge, understanding and skills.
The ‘Head, Heart and Hands’ model was used throughout.
When guest panel speakers Amey Lekkas, Ethan White, Madeline Forde and Callum Barrott-Walsh spoke during the opening session, they focussed on stories of hope.
Cardijn College old scholar Amey reflected on leadership roles following school years.
“I only found out I was Aboriginal when I was 12, so spent my whole primary school not knowing my identity. I learnt everything I knew at Cardijn,” Amey said.
“My experience as a leader has never been as someone who really wants to lead, just someone who wants to help. That’s my form of leadership. Being young in this space is great. I think young people are often the most informed people in the room. Does it come with lots of experience? No. Do I think we need lots of experience to see injustice? Your age should never affect how much you stand up for yourself.”
For Xavier College old scholar Ethan, one of the youngest council members elected in Gawler, representing people within his community is a privilege.
“Since finishing school, I have been very lucky to have a number of different opportunities.”
This includes production of a camping-based travel show called ‘Off the Couch with Ethan’ for TV station Channel 44.
Insights from 20-year-old Cardijn College old scholar Callum included an ongoing passion for volunteering and serving his community.
“Having a younger brother with a disability taught me the importance of service and giving back to those in need in my community,” Callum said. “I absolutely love volunteering and meeting so many new people.”
Madeline Forde, CESA senior advisor: Ministry, was also on hand to share her wisdom. After graduating from Sacred Heart College Maddy went on to become heavily involved with the Marist community.
“I sometimes found myself in some really weird and wonderful places,” she said. “Currently, I’m the Oceania representative for the International Youth Advisory Body to the Vatican so every year I go to Rome and meet with Pope Francis and 20 young people from across the world. We talk about the realities of young people in our context, what’s important to us, and what we want the Pope and the Vatican to address, as young people of faith.”
Students from Blackfriars Priory School, Sacred Heart College, Saint Paul’s College, Gleeson College, St Mary’s College, Xavier College, Tenison Woods College, Saint Ignatius’ College and Rostrevor College soaked up the advice. In the future, additional schools will also be involved.
The program will also engage with the 2025 Stories of Hope theme, celebrating the Jubilee Year and 180 Years of Catholic Education South Australia.
The over-arching message from the day was hope.
“So much hope that can come out of leadership,” Callum said.
“You really do have the potential to change someone’s day, every single day, by being a remarkable leader and as a young person, that’s really special.”
